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BearFan PHX

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  8. Hard Knocks Open Thread - Debuts on August 6th

    in Bearstalk

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

    I saw it more as, the team really loves this guy and Poles was hoping he got a steal.  Now, the young man has next year to try again.

    I agree, it's kinda the same thing. He was hoping he got a steal, meaning a player. And given what a mess the OL is right now, another player would be helpful.

    To be clear I'm not saying that somehow Poles was counting on him being a starter or anything, but I do think with Davis and Jenkins, he has to be thinking about hedging his bets and having bodies that can play if necessary, and he probably wanted Benedet as part of that competition.

    I think that since we've freed up cap space signing DJ, the odds of bringing in a new guy on the interior OL is increasing, whether by camp cut, or trade.

    But one way or another, we are looking thin on the interior OL right now.

  9. Hard Knocks Open Thread - Debuts on August 6th

    in Bearstalk

    Posted

    12 minutes ago, Pixote said:

    I'm guessing his injury is the issue. Otherwise, Miami would not have released him, and it wouldn't have taken this long for another team to sign him.

    for sure - its taking a flyer on a guy who probably wont be there opening day.

    I still think we are going to make a trade. Weve got cap room, and two second rounders in our pocket. I cant guess who the trade would be though, any more than ANYONE thought Montez Sweat was on the block before we made that trade.

  11. Hard Knocks Open Thread - Debuts on August 6th

    in Bearstalk

    Posted

    I would add that Poles seemed more upset with the Theo Benedet injury than he should have given his position on the depth chart. Poles actually rubbed his face in an "ugh" gesture.

    That tells me that Poles knows there is more trouble on the OL than there should be, and he was hoping to have a lot of bodies so that someone could step up.

    Also, the timing of the DJ Moore extension leads me to guess that they are freeing up cap room for a big acquisition. Maybe Connor Williams, maybe a DE, maybe a trade for a player not currently on our radar, and possibly on the OL?

  12. Eberflus 2024

    in Bearstalk

    Posted

    Just watched Hard Knocks episode 1 - theres lots to say, but i just want to say this:

    Eberflus looks great. Everything i was worried about from last year i no longer am. He seems dialed in, and right where he should be. Awesome.

  15. Austin Booker

    in Bearstalk

    Posted

    3 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

    If there is no stunt and/or blitz, the EDGE rusher usually goes on feel.  If you get a tackle with happy feet, you bull rush him and put him on skates.  If you get a QB like Fields, scheme rushes are best to keep containment up the middle and outside. 

    There are so many factors and I'm only speaking D1 level in college.  I didn't play in college, but my best friend was a D1 EDGE and played in Europe until he was 35.  Each level is a huge elevation in complexity.

    Im sure!

    EVen if they dont have specific technique assignments, they still could have told Booker "we want to see interior and bull rush moves this week, we know you can bend" and like you, I wonder if they did.

  16. Austin Booker

    in Bearstalk

    Posted

    43 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

    Same.  That's why I asked, because it seemed intentional.

    I wonder how much freedom a pass rusher has to decide which move they are starting off with. Whether they will attack the outside shoulder, bull rush or slip inside. I know of course that as soon as half a second has happened, then you react to what is going on in front of you and all plans are reevaluated, but i wonder if the original play call specifies that, or if they could even tell him something like that?

    Obviously if there is a stunt that's one thing, and if you are the contain man, that may dictate an outside path, but in regular plays without stunts, I wonder if that is up to the player or assigned?

    And either way, maybe they told him they wanted to see him work on inside moves more. Just to gain experience?

    It's an interesting question. I wonder if we will pick up something on Hard Knocks that sheds any light.

  19. Austin Booker

    in Bearstalk

    Posted

    1 hour ago, AZ54 said:

    In one practice game Booker has shown more positive traits than Dominique Robinson, who I think gets cut.   Booker is still young and needs a couple years to add strength but there's enough on this tape to believe he can contribute as a pass rush specialist.  

    As far as the intent of the inside moves perhaps there is some coaching focus there but my hope is that Dexter provides that, not Booker.  He was also getting a bit more attention that I expected on some plays.  That is likely just the design of the play rather than them scheming against him but it was good to see how he handled those situations and it gives him tape on what to improve.  

    The one thing I didn't see is him really bending around the edge.  He's got to add that to his portfolio and I think he can.  It'll be good to watch him across the preseason.  

     

    (once again) I agree with all your analysis! I have read that Booker has tons of bend, so maybe we just didnt see it in the game for some reason?

  20. Poles Continues to Amaze Me

    in Bearstalk

    Posted

    20 minutes ago, Pixote said:

    Okay, I will throw in my 2 cents, and an observation that may be totally off base.

    I'm 99.99% sure it was Cunningham who urged Poles to be patient and not trade up. Somewhere in my age-shortened memory, I remember this being stated by Poles. Yes, Warren was seen in the video saying the old "we (I) told you so" but here is the twist I see.

    Did anyone else notice this during the rain delay?

    Michaels and Aikman were interviewing Warren and Poles. The first question was directed to Warren, who gave a lengthy answer. It seemed to me Michaels was anxious for him to finish so he could ask Poles a question about his rebuilding the roster.

    When Warren finished, Michaels asked a question that was obviously directed to Poles, but Warren jumped in and answered it, leaving Poles & Michaels looking a bit surprised.

    The next two questions, Aikman and Michaels, prefaced, making sure there was no doubt they were directed to Poles for an answer. While Poles answered the questions, I thought Warren looked pissed, like he was upset he was no longer getting the attention I think he thrives on.

    I could be totally off base. His facial expression could be misread. God knows, I look like I am pissed off at the world, even when I am watching a show I think is hilarious. I would be deadly playing Texas Holdem' ?

    I love Warren's hire. He will give us a showcase, a stadium to be proud of, and eventually a SB hosting offer. However, it appears to me he has a personality flaw. He wants to be the center of attention. And in this case, "AFTER" it was proven Cunningham's suggestion that Poles should be patient paid off, I think he jumped in to try to grab some of the spotlight/credit.

     

    Oh I totally see this and agree 100%. Warren LOVES attention.

    And I think Poles knows to let his boss have his moment too. But hopefully, during his day, Poles feels his power as GM, and i think he does. He just has to deal with assuaging Warrens ego around the office now and again.

    As for Cunningham having the central role as Poles sounding board, i fully agree. I think the two of them put all of this together.

    I do think they briefed Warren, so he could reference the conversation theyd all had earlier, but yes, it is Poles and Cunningham's show, and Warren is being a ham.

    I also think Warren would like to be the next NFL commissioner. So he may be milking camera time toward that end too.

  21. Poles Continues to Amaze Me

    in Bearstalk

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Mongo3451 said:

    Around the 24 minute mark of the 1920 football drive video, Poles and Warren are talking after Cunningham and Flus.  The conversation brought up patience, then Warren came back and said that the conversation of 1 and 9 happened days before.  Sounds like Warren was the sounding board.

    I think they brief Warren on all the scenarios and what their plans are, including the likelihood that odunze is there at pick #9, and the less likely scenario where they should have traded up. Maybe they tell him, "our plan is to hold tight and let the draft fall" and Poles asks on draft day - in order to dot every I and cross every T, whether they should trade up. Not that he was getting nervous, but just saying "Ok we are at that decision point moment we discussed earlier, are we all still good on the plan?" Kind of like when each department of a rocket launch says "Ok to launch" not that it was really Poles thinking they should change their mind. Just marking that the moment is there, and reconfirming that everyone is on the same page. Good leadership, and poker playing it turns out.

    And then, when it happens, they all pat each other on the back about having called it, and being steely enough not to trade up. Cunningham was Poles' confirming strength about the plan they both put together, and Warren was saying "right, just like we discussed it (when you guys briefed me)"

    So I think Warren is in the loop, and says fatherly things like "Trust your gut" and "you've got this" and maybe if they had come to Warren with a horrible player to pick, like taking Penix #1, Warren could step in and question it, but otherwise I dont think he does the player evals or anything and isnt deep enough in those scenarios to have a valid opinion, not to mention that Poles is the GM, and deserves the choice to be his.

    I think Warren tries to keep his eye on the very long term. He would be the one to fire Poles if that ever happened, so they are accountable to him in some overarching way, but not in player specifics.

    I do think if they wanted to make a move to trade 3 first rounders for Pat Mahomes, and pay him $80M a year, Warren would definitely have to approve something of that magnitude. Even if just to get approval to spend that much money. But Warren should never say "I think you should take Joe Alt instead of Rome Odunze" or anything like that.

    So, maybe more like briefing the boss, than using the boss as a sounding board. I only see player stuff moving up to Warren, and not down from him.

  22. Poles Continues to Amaze Me

    in Bearstalk

    Posted

    2 hours ago, AZ54 said:

    I won't dispute what you saw.  The video I saw was Poles and Ian going over it back and forth as picks were being made, plus Poles consulting with some of the scouts who are assigned opposition research for their assessment of who the teams ahead of us would draft.  In the end they all celebrated and I saw Warren say "it was just like we told you" or something like that.  Regardless of his statement I just can't believe Warren is doing opposition research for the draft.    

    I think youre both right. I think Ian Cunningham was the one holding Poles back, and Warren saying later "it was just like we said" I took that to mean that Cunningham and Poles had guessed at what would happen and had briefed Warren. Warren probably told them to stand on their convictions, and it was Cunningham on the day that held Poles at bay, with Warren saying later "good job"

    I also think Poles doesnt necessarily needs someone to hold him back either, but its a tense time and it was good for Cunningham to be there to encourage Poles to stay with his hand.

  23. Hall of Fame Game - Texans vs Bears - August 1st

    in Bearstalk

    Posted

    2 hours ago, AZ54 said:

    Not much worth talking about from that game.  My overall impression is that considering we were mainly watching 3rd string players the coaches had them ready to play.   Usually these games are sloppy with lots of obvious blown assignments, false starts, etc.  Now that's much easier on the defensive side same scheme and all but the offense held their own with a new system and coaches.  Which kinda makes me optimistic for the regular season opener.  

    Players... nobody stood out to me except TE Bates.  Of course assignment matteres but in these games of backups vs. backups in wk 1 preseason I'm mostly looking for athletes who stand out.  Bates is a big dude who can run fluidly in the open field.  TE is the notoriously one of the most difficult positions to learn so it's no surprise to see guys like Carlson ahead of him.  Will that last over the next few games?   Regardless, I won't expect much from him this year and he'd be TE4 so he can only make the 53 via special teams and maybe at the expense of Blasingame.  

    Dline doesn't have any notable depth.  Pickens for his former 5 star recruit talent hype should have stood out IF he's going to make a significant contribution this year.  As it is now it appears he's just a guy holding a roster spot.  Booker looked ok athletically like he belongs but also showed he has much to learn.  

    I'm not impressed by Collin Johnson.  He can't run by anybody and he's very stiff getting off the line.  If all he can get is contested catches against 3rd/4th stringers that won't get any better against 1st/2nd string.  

    Rypien showed why he's career backup as he's a line of sight thrower.  He can't really layer the ball in over coverage. It's all good to the big WR over the top.  Or to wide open crossers with nobody underneath.  Didn't see enough from Bagent to compare.  

    agree with all of this, especially the part about there not being much to see, and Booker. Also the O line was piecemeal, with a basic unknown playing center. I was disappointed in Pryor, I love his size, but he got beat too much. Curhan looked pretty good.

    It was good to see Roschon running hard. I like him better than Herbert, but i can see why others are going to disagree with me about that. There are strengths to both players. I was hoping to see Wheeler, but i dont think he got any reps. Maybe the rain stole them.

    Keith Randolph Jr showed a little, but also got blown out on a few plays - Im looking forward to seeing more of him pushing Pickens for NT2.

    The linebackers were particularly bad I thought.

    All deep into the depth chart, all too early to say.

    EDIT - reading more Im hearing some people didnt like Curhan at all, so maybe I didnt see him on the bad snaps. I could be wrong about him of course. I didnt watch every OL player on every snap. I hope the OL looks better next week.

     

  24. Hall of Fame Game - Texans vs Bears - August 1st

    in Bearstalk

    Posted

    35 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

    DL depth is a concern.  Zero push.

    true but they were moving a lot of people around etc. and rookies having their first ever game. I feel like all you can take from this is whether anyone had a great performance or whether anyone got their ass kicked. Middle crap is common for a game this early I think.

    But yeah, if that was our team, it wasnt pretty at all.

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